208182 Sgt. Cyril James Greenwood British Army 82nd Brigade, C Battery Royal Field Artillery from:Fern Nook, East Morton, Bingley, Yorkshire (d.21st Mar 1918) My great uncle, Cyril Greenwood, was born on 8 Feb 1892 in East Morton, nr Bingley, Yorkshire. He was the son of Wilkinson and Martha Greenwood, and had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I have not yet found out when how early in the war he joined the Army, but he was a Sergeant in the Royal Field Artillery, 82nd Brigade, C Battery. He died on 21st March 1918 and his name is commemorated on the Memorial at Pozieres, near Albert in France. He was 26 years old. The battle in which he was killed was in the area to the west of Fort Vendeuil.
Information from the journal of the Royal Artillery on this battle gives the following information: On 21 March 1918, A Battery, 82nd Brigade, RFA commanded by Captain W. Dennes, MC, was in action about 1000 yards west of Fort Vendeuil. About 12 noon German infantry appeared in large numbers in front of the wire of the Ly Fontaine - Vendeuil switch line that was some 300 yards in front of the guns.
From this time onward the Battery engaged the enemy infantry at close range, inflicting very heavy casualties on them and driving them back for a time. About 3:45 pm Captain Dennes sent a message by runner asking for assistance, saying that he was holding his own but the enemy had worked up close, were sniping gunners on the guns, and he was loosing a good many men. Shortly afterwards Dennes was hit by a sniper and believed to be killed. 2nd Lieut. R G M Jones took command and sent a runner back to the nearest infantry post with a message saying he was intending to remain where he was and hold out to the last, and asking for the support of rifle fire on his flanks. The runner, however, lost his way- the message was not delivered in time and about 5 pm the battery position was rushed by the enemy and the few survivors in it were captured
I have three letters in my possession, written to Cyril's sister. The first is undated: "I have received a letter from The Rev P B Clayton at Poperinge, and spoken to the OC C/82 about your brother. The OC C/82 has already written to you and by now I expect you have received his letter giving you all facts. From what I hear it is most probably your brother is a prisoner of War and if you apply direct to the War Office you may hear better news."
The second dated 19th October 1918 from the British Red Cross: "Dear Madam, It is with deepest regret I write to inform you of a sad report just obtained regarding the above from Cpl L.W.Peck, 22159. R.F.A. 82 Brigade, C. Battery, at present abroad. He tells us he was informed by Bombardier S.J. Elliott of the same Battery that he had seen the above badly wounded at Vendeuil. We wish we could hold out hopes of his having survived, but we fear the chances of this are getting sadly small as he has been missing so long."
The third dated 29th April 1919 from the RFA Record Office: "Madam, It is my painful duty to inform you that no further news having been received relative to 26612 Sergeant Cyril James Greenwood C/82 Bde Royal Field Artillery who has been missing since 21 March 1918, the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead, and that his death took place on the 21 March 1918. By His Majesty's command I am to forward the enclosed message of sympathy from Their Gracious Majesties the King and Queen. I am at the same time to express the regret of the Army Council at the soldier’s death in his country’s service."
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